New things cooking in Swansea schools

When kids head back to school on Tuesday, they’ll discover that their cafeteria has undergone a makeover, and so has the menu. Choices will abound with the new privatized lunch program by Chartwells USA, a division of its UK based parent company Compass Group PLC.

When kids head back to school on Tuesday, they’ll discover that their cafeteria has undergone a makeover, and so has the menu.

Choices will abound with the new privatized lunch program by Chartwells USA, a division of its UK based parent company Compass Group PLC.

Students at the high school and junior high school level will see the most when it comes to choice. Besides a daily entree, like chicken nuggets on Tuesday and pasta bar on Wednesday, they can choose pizza or burgers, an item from the quick cuisine menu like homemade hummus with veggies and pita bread, or dine on alternate items from the sub bar and salad bar. There will also be fresh fruits and vegetables, like chick pea salad and granny smith apples, available daily.

Elementary school students will have a main meal choice, such as chicken nuggets on Tuesday and beef-a-roni with cheese on Wednesday, and two alternatives that vary daily, like mini pizza bagels or sunbutter and jelly.

Besides the food, Chartwells has given the lunch line a colorful new look with its “Eat, Learn, Live” signage. Foods will be set out in attractive displays on stainless steel counter tops. New lighting will keep everything looking bright.

“I’m hoping they’re encouraged by the change of atmosphere and menu,” said Superintendent Robert Monteiro. “You’d be hard-pressed to go in and not find something you’d like to eat.”

Monteiro said cafeteria employees have been “working hard” since the district signed a contract with Chartwells in July. They’ve undergone training sessions that include working on recipes with the corporate chef, and on serving and cleanup.

“I’m happy employees seem very receptive,” Monteiro said.

Currently, cafeteria employees are not employed by Chartwells, but are under contract for another year with the district. Until now, the district has run an in-house lunch program.

It decided to contract out the program because its longtime food serve director Nancy Cary is retiring.

Gail Oliveira is the new district manager. A resident of New Bedford, she has worked for Chartwells for 11 years and has been in the food service business for three decades.

“All of the employees are coming back,” Oliveira said. “The goal is to work together as a team.”

Oliveira said the new menu choices at the schools all meet strict dietary guidelines and include fresh fruits and vegetables and whole grains.

“We want to meet guidelines or exceed them and make it taste good,” Oliveira said.

To view menus and learn more about Chartwells, visit www.swanseaschools.org. and click “departments” and “school lunch.”